The Kings are back in familiar territory - searching for a point guard to build around. And as the front office scans the league for a long-term floor general, one name continues to surface: Darius Garland.
According to league chatter, Sacramento has been keeping tabs on the Cavaliers' All-Star guard. The interest comes in the wake of the Kings’ decision to move on from De’Aaron Fox, who was traded to the Spurs last season. That move left a significant void at the point, and Garland, despite a dip in production, remains one of the more intriguing potential trade targets.
Garland is averaging 16.9 points and 6.5 assists this season, but those numbers come with some context. He’s still working his way back from offseason toe surgery, and his shooting percentages have taken a hit - the lowest of his career so far.
That said, the talent is still there. He’s a slick ball-handler with vision, a smooth pull-up game, and the ability to orchestrate an offense.
And at just 24 years old, he’s got time to recapture his All-Star form.
Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. Garland is in the first year of a five-year, $197 million extension - a $39.4 million cap hit this season. That’s a big number for any team to absorb, especially one like Sacramento, which is still trying to find its footing amid a 7-22 start that has them tied for the worst record in the league.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s situation adds another layer of complexity. The Cavs are hovering just above .500 at 15-14 after finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference last season.
They’ve dealt with injuries and inconsistency, but they’re still in the playoff mix. Trading Garland midseason would be a significant move - and not one they’re likely to take lightly.
Still, around the league, there’s a growing belief that Garland may eventually want the opportunity to run his own team again. That’s the kind of narrative that tends to gain traction when a talented young guard is playing alongside another ball-dominant star like Donovan Mitchell. And while that doesn’t mean Garland is on the block, it does mean teams like the Kings are watching closely.
As one source put it, “Darius is the safest option on the trade market.” That doesn’t mean he’s available. But it does make him a name to monitor as the deadline approaches - especially for a team like Sacramento, searching for stability at the game’s most important position.